2011 x5 35d: Fake lamps?

[serge1]

I am new to X5 and new to owning a BMW as well, so my question might sound silly..

So, each headlight has a pair of lamps, at least that's what it appears.
I expected hi-beam to be using the lamps closer to the kidneys, but to my surprise, those never turn on.

Are they real lamps? They sure look real, but never work.
Even if those are fake placeholders, I still prefer the look with 2 lamps per headlight. Just wondering...

[TimZ]

I've actually wondered the same. It might be the housing for the angel eye bulb? When I installed mine I saw the white color faintly through there, or it was just yet glare
But im really curious as well

[bmr760]

they light up when in reverse or when making a turn with the signal.

[AwesomeM3]

Originally Posted by Ryouken

they light up when in reverse or when making a turn with the signal.

Are you sure? That's the case with my M3, but not with my X5. On my X5, the fog lights light up when in reverse or when making a turn.

[WWONG]

Now that you mention it.... WHAT THE HELL DO THOSE IN THE CENTER DO? I don't the the manual says anything about replacing a bulb there

[bmr760]

Originally Posted by AwesomeM3

Are you sure? That's the case with my M3, but not with my X5. On my X5, the fog lights light up when in reverse or when making a turn.

That's how it works on my X5M, Might be different on non-M's

[djer]

M's don't have fog lights, thus the Cornering Light function takes place on the inner circle part of the headlight (closer to kidneys)

Non-M's have fog lights and that's where the Cornering Light are used. The bulbs used for the Angel Eyes are housed on the inner circle part of the headlight. High-beams are bi-xenons, which means it uses sort of a "flap" released by a solenoid to project the whole beam. One bulb does both functions.

[AwesomeM3]

Originally Posted by djeremya

M's don't have fog lights, thus the Cornering Light function takes place on the inner circle part of the headlight (closer to kidneys)

Non-M's have fog lights and that's where the Cornering Light are used. The bulbs used for the Angel Eyes are housed on the inner circle part of the headlight. High-beams are bi-xenons, which means it uses sort of a "flap" released by a solenoid to project the whole beam. One bulb does both functions.

Good explanation, thanks!

[AwesomeM3]

Originally Posted by Ryouken

That's how it works on my X5M, Might be different on non-M's

I didn't realize you had a X5M. As djeremya stated, since M's don't have fog lights, the cornering lights are the inner headlights.